By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE Edo State Police Command has confirmed that five persons died and four others injured in the clash between cocoa farmers and some alleged produce thieves in Gbelemotin in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The area reportedly witnessed a clash between cocoa farmers in the area and some suspected produce thieves believed to be Izon boys in the locality which allegedly resulted in the death of many.

The incident said to have happened between Thursday and Friday also left several houses burnt

Confirming the incident, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, said that five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in the clash.

In a Short Messaging Service (SMS), hw said “Five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in a clash between Gbelemoti community and Maidoti community.

“Joint operation with the Army, vigilantes, and other agencies is ongoing as the situation has been brought under control.

“Investigation into the cause of the clash has equally commenced.” Yamu stated.

A member of the community who does not want his name mentioned said on Saturday that the crisis started on Thursday when an Ikale cocoa farmer hired some vigilantes to guard his cocoa farm which has been under heavy poaching by some suspected Izon boys.

The vigilantes were said to have killed four of the Izon boys and this he said led to some people believed to be Izon boys carrying out a counter attack on Friday in apparent sympathy with their four kinsmen killed.

He said “There was fighting on Friday in my zone, many are feared killed. A vigilante sponsored by an Ikale man, Igbala, killed four Izon boys two nights ago.

“The boys were allegedly stealing produce belonging to the Yoruba.The boys are from Kolombor (Gbelemotin).

“Yesterday which was Friday morning, there was a counter attack and some people were killed and houses burnt. The number of casualties on the other side is yet not known.

“Soldiers and other security officers were there yesterday. They moved some bodies but there are still many bodies in the bushes.

“The cocoa these boys were stealing belong to the Yoruba farmers in the area, at Madotti Camp. The Yorubas must have suffered some collateral loses.” He said.